Reprinted from the Proceedings of the International Aviculturists Society, January 11 - 15, 1995
A Rescue and Release Program:
Friends of Portobelo National Park, Panama.
by
Susan L. Clubb, D.V.M.
P.O. Box 508
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Rehabilitation and re-introduction of macaws and other species in Panama.
In July 1993 I received an urgent call from Panama. A group of smuggled macaws and toucans had been confiscated by the Panamanian government. Panamanian businessman/conservationist Jacobo Lacs had agreed to care for the birds but was faced with a dire situation having no supplies or trained personnel. He requested that I come to Panama immediately as the birds were dying. At the time I could not escape previous commitments so I sent my assistant, Candy Head and another experienced aviculturist Bonnie Hanley to deliver supplies and train Jaco's personnel in proper feeding and basic nursing care for the ill birds.
The birds were housed in a temporary holding facility on the northern (Gulf) coast of Panama. This plot of land, owned by Jaco Lacs lies within the Portobelo National Parque, approximately 40 miles east of Colon.
Candy and Bonnie worked tirelessly to tube feed the birds, train the caretakers to feed properly and instruct them in administration of medication. We could not be sure why the birds were so debilitated so I elected to treat them as if they were a group of imported birds entering quarantine and they were started on a program of treatment for psittacosis, internal and external parasites and enteric bacterial and fungal infections. Handfeeding formula and equipment was delivered for tube feeding. Low iron diets (Pretty Bird Parrot Breeder pellets) were taken for the toucans. A varied diet consisting of seeds, corn, rice, beans, and fresh tropical fruits was provided.
Approximately 2 weeks after Candy and Bonnie started the emergency treatment program my husband Kevin and I flew to Panama to assess the condition of the birds and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment program. I was very pleased with the improvement in condition of the birds from what I imagined their condition to from descriptions and photos. Mortality had virtually ceased and most of the birds had gained weight. At this time each bird was examined, identified with a leg band and if their condition was satisfactory they were surgically sexed and examined internally. All birds were checked for papillomas. Bacterial cultures and fecal exams were performed. Some of the young birds were still very emaciated and we found they had severe yeast infections. Dead birds which had been retained (storage was minimal) were necrospied. No signs of any major infectious disease were present. Apparently the birds were debilitated primarily due to poor care and improper feeding by the smugglers. Bacterial and fungal infections were considered to be secondary. While psittacosis was not diagnosed, the birds were all treated.
Minor surgical procedures were performed as necessary. The staff received further intensive training in treatment of the remaining ill birds, as well as in cage construction, general housing requirements, food preparation and provision and conditioning techniques. Each bird was banded and tattooed (in wing web as routinely performed for marking surgically sexed birds). A medical record was started on each bird.
As these birds were destined for release after rehabilitation, they were allowed to gain flight strength in a large cage approximately 20 x 40 x 20 feet tall. After a return trip and physical examination to evaluate health, the releases began. Species which are not native to Panama will not be released.
Jaco Lacs began to rehabilitate animals in 1991 when he was made custodian of 4 macaws (2 blue and golds, a scarlet and a Buffons) by INRENARE (Institute of Renewable Natural Resources - the wildlife authorities of the Panamanian government.) These birds were placed on a small island owned by Lacs and his partner Allen Biatel. The bird, with wings clipped, stayed in large trees until their feathers regrew and they began to fly. These birds are still flying in the area today. He was also made custodian of 2 Harpy eagles by INRENARE. In early 1993 he was given a license to rehabilitate any native Panamanian wildlife by INRENARE. The licensed name is Amigos del Parque Nacional Portobelo (Friends of Portobelo National Park) He must file an inventory report and detail all activities conducted under the license every 6 months.
The rehabilitation facility and release site are located on privately held lands but are within the boundaries of the Portobelo National Park (Parque Nacional Portobelo). The National Park encompasses some 50,000 hectares with another 20,000 hectares nearby. The Port and Fort of Portobelo were Spanish strongholds in colonial times and the site of numerous battles between the British and Spanish. Macaws historically ranged throughout the region but were extirpated over a century ago according to local sources. The National Park also has been in existence for a long period of time, however under the military rule of General Torrijos settlement and use of the land was encouraged and much of the forest was cut. The forest is now protected. Residents are allowed to stay but not to cut the trees. Many residents and landowners, such as Lacs, have elected to reforest the land and preserve the forests and wildlife.
The group of approximately 40 macaws and 15 toucans which I was involved with were confiscated when Colombian traders tried to sell them in a nearby island village. INRENARE, having no facilities or funds to care for the birds placed them with Lacs. After taking custody for the macaws Lacs decided to form a non-profit foundation to assist in caring for the birds which to this date he has funded privately. The foundation - Amigos del Parque Nacional Portobelo, Fundacion Rehabilitacion de Species Tropicales (Foundation for Rehabilitation of Tropical Species) is now in the final stages of formation and activation under Panamanian law.
Initial release success has been promising. To date 12 Blue and gold macaws, 4 scarlet macaws, 2 greenwings. 1 Buffons, 8 severes, 4 toucans and 5 Mealy Amazons have been released. Most of the birds have stayed close to the release site visiting daily. A local jungle resident who lives 7 km away deep in the forest accounts for the remaining macaws. He keeps 12 macaws, (Buffons, scarlets and blue and golds) in trees surrounding his isolated forest home. He is visited daily by the Buffons, a pair of scarlets and several blue and golds. The toucans joined others living in the area, high in the forested hills. Five mealy amazons were never seen again. A number of the birds are still considered unreleasable due to previous injury or due to inappropriate sex ratio. Birds in questionable health were not released.
The release site and surrounding forest would be considered by most to be a tropical paradise. Heavily forested mountains plunge into an aqua sea with rugged coastline. Numerous reefs break the pounding surf so interior waters between the numerous islands are placid. The hills are covered with exotic vegetation which we only see in tropical botanical gardens or greenhouses, including heliconias, bananas, palms and antheriums. The highlands are covered in tropical hardwoods. Lacs is reforesting with species selected for their food value for wildlife and has planted over 4000 trees to date.
While working in such a site is exciting, it is also very challenging and frustrating. There are no veterinary facilities anywhere near the site. All equipment and supplies must be brought to the site on each visit which severely limits our capabilities. The Foundation desperately needs some basic veterinary equipment and supplies on hand to make care of the animals more available and less difficult. Many problems exist such as lack of suitable buildings, erratic power supply, tropical heat and rain storms, and biting insects. But these obstacles seem unimportant when watching macaws flying free over heavily forested tropical islands.
B OBI again visited Panama in July to examine a sick eagle, parrots and toucans. I struggled to carry down needed equipment and supplies. This project is off to a great start but will groOBw very slowly without outside assistance. Jaco Lacs is very dedicated to the project and has fOBunded it solely to date. I envision that this foundation could not only provide a haven for Panamanian wildlife but also provide an ideal site for the study of reintroduced wildlife and their adaptation to their new home. Visiting scientists are of course welcome. I am very proud to be associated with this project and feel we can accomplish alot with assistance and support from other parrot enthusiasts.
*** After initially receiving this request, the directors of the International Aviculturists Society and World Parrot Trust - USA voted to provide an anesthetic vaporizer for the project. The vaporizer has been received and is greatly appreciated. It will be used in the near future for surgery on the wing of a Harpy Eagle which is severely debilitated by a badly healed fracture of the radius and ulna.
Pretty Bird Intl. is providing pelleted foods.
A wish list of equipment and supplies for the foundation follows.
Laboratory microscope
Centrifuge - small table top
Small surgical light
Stains, slides, etc. for simple laboratory analysis
Isoflurane
Surgical instruments - assorted
Arthroscope suitable for avian endoscopy is ultimate item on the wish list
Radio collaring and tracking equipment
Implantable microchips and reader
Selection of appropriate pharmaceuticals, bandaging materials, syringes, etc.
Wire and other building supplies for caging
